The Benefits of Small Town Travel
Big cities can be great — they are hubs of culture, art and history and they have a dazzling array of attractions to enjoy. However, they also come with a big city price tag. Plus, they only offer a view into the urban metropolis lifestyle in your destination.
It’s worth taking the time to visit smaller cities on your travels as well. Not only will accommodations, food and attractions be generally more affordable, they also provide a glimpse into a quieter side of life in another country. In a small town you can see what life is like for ordinary locals — not just what life is like in a busy, touristic, large city.
Also, staying in a destination of a smaller scale allows you to adapt a more laid-back pace of travel, as there is less pressure to run around and see everything. It’s an experience just to be there and to live the local lifestyle for a while.
While not having an obvious set of attractions to visit might seem daunting, there are generic things you can do when exploring somewhere new that will guarantee you get an authentic experience.
So, where are some of the coolest small towns worth exploring? Here are some beautiful small to mid-sized cities to consider on your next budget travel adventure.
Gander, Newfoundland, Canada
Make the journey to the remote and rugged island of Newfoundland off the east coast of Canada and when you arrive in the town of Gander, you’ll be greeted with legendary friendliness.
With a population of 11,688, Gander certainly qualifies as a small town. Before airplanes were able to make long transatlantic flights without stopping for fuel, it used to be the main refueling stop (earning it the nickname “Crossroads of the World”).
In 2001, this small town became internationally famous for its warmhearted hospitality in a time of need. In the hours after the September 11 attacks when North America’s airspace was closed, more than 6,600 passengers and airline crew members were forced to stay for six days until flights resumed.
The locals opened their doors and fed, housed and entertained the travelers — a show of welcoming generosity that was written about in a book called “The Day the World Came to Town.”
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Sure, Germany’s big cities are great. However, once you are finished with Munich, Berlin and Frankfurt and you want to see different side of life, get a train ticket to Freiburg im Breisgau.
A beautiful university city in a secluded wine-rich area of Baden-Wurttemberg, Freiburg is known as the “Jewel of the Black Forest.” It’s technically a city and not a small town as it has a population of 220,000.
However, it feels like a small town — especially when you are walking through the quaint medieval streets lined with historic buildings.
Also, you don’t have to go far out of the city until you are in the gorgeous Black Forest where you can go hiking and exploring.
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Hoi An, Vietnam
The streets of Hoi An (population: 120,000) feel positively tranquil compared to the snarling swarms of motorbikes and pedestrians in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. This lovely town has a historic downtown district that has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century.
Visiting this graceful port is like traveling back in time to an older version of Vietnam. You can stroll alongside ornate Chinese temples, narrow alleyways, ancient tea houses and perfectly preserved merchant houses.
The dining is superb, the architecture is beautiful, the colors are vibrant and Hoi An is also known for its affordable custom-made clothing. No matter what you want, whether it is a suit, an evening gown or a tailored jacket, you can have it made for you at a fraction of what you would pay in your home country.
Napier, New Zealand
When an earthquake leveled the city of Napier in 1931, it was totally rebuilt in the prevailing architectural style at the time: Art Deco. The result is a gorgeous sun-soaked seaside city of pastel hues, geometric shapes, ziggurats and fountain motifs that feels like a vintage movie set.
The town of 61,000 people even celebrates its Art Deco heritage with a huge festival every February.
Ogling at the buildings is not the only pleasure here. You can also take a tour to one of the nearby wineries, ride your bike out to see the gannet colonies of the beaches of Cape Kidnappers, visit the creepy Napier Prison (dating back to the 1860s) or watch the sunrise from the lookout on Bluff Hill.
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Ollantaytambo, Peru
Located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Ollantaytambo is a fascinating small village of only around 2,000 people that few tourists to Peru have on their radar. It is home to an ancient Inca fortress that was constructed in the middle of the 15th century and is the second best preserved ancient ruin in Peru.
Climb up the terraced fortifications on the side of the valley at the western edge of the village and you will be rewarded with breathtaking views.
Its narrow cobblestone streets have been continuously inhabited since the 13th century. You can wander through the stone buildings and labyrinthine byways, or go hiking or biking in the rugged Peruvian countryside. Plus, you can stay in a hotel for $15 to $30 per night making it ideal for budget travelers.